Railway ballast handling machine



July 28, 1931.

J. B. M WlLLiAMS RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR: J, awwwzw,

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2:222 11 121i If H E2255 v a N July 28, 1931. J. B. M WILLIAMS RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 3 J h o July 28, 1931. J. B. McWlLLlAMS 1,815,950

RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Filed June so, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 8 J03 HB 41 i II\ I m 1 INN INVENTOR AM B FPML

July 28, 1931. J. B. McWILLlAMS RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NM E July 28, '1931. J. B. M WILLIAMS RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHI NE Filed June 50, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M M mw w m k v B mfi kw m mg .I! W J. w J W J W i 1 m .\||1| 1151:1ihbbbwnpnnmlUvillm lb. #3 n N Q .I N 5Q KWW 7 I. 1!. W 4 J July 28, 1931. J. B. M WILLIAMS RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Filed June 50, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR: Jun-n B- gPatented July 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAINTENANCE CORPORATION, OF OF PENNSYLVANIA I PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION RAILWAY BALLAST HANDLING MACHINE Application filed June 30,

This invention relates to railway ballast handling machines. It. is effective for digging ballast from the space between adjacent railway tracks and under the ends of the ties 5 of such tracks, screening the ballast, returning the cleaned material to the road bed, and

4 conveying the screenings to a convenient point.

A railway road bed comprises a sub-base which is generally rolled hard and is horizontal, when considered crosswise of the right of way. A layer of stone ballast lies on this sub-base and carries the rail ties. The ballast is of generally uniform depth on straight pieces of track, but varies in depth at curves because of the inclination of the tracks.

Dust and dirt which settle on the road bed are washed into the ballast so that in time it 23 loses its porous and elastic character and does not drain properly. When this condition arises, the rails begin to pump and the quality of the road bed rapidly deteriorates. It is therefore necessary to periodically clean the ballast so as to restore its porous and elastic character. Experience shows that cleaning between adjacent tracks is suflicient to keep the road bed in good condition, provided the cleaning extends sufficiently close to the ties of the adjacent tracks. Unless the cleaning is extended sufiiciently close to the ties there remains a substantially impervious wall which prevents drainage of those portions of the ballast which actually support the tracks.

' Ballast has heretofore been cleaned almost entirely by hand labor. Some machines for doing this work have been proposed, but they have generally been open to numerous objections. Some of them have been mounted on the railroad rails and have therefore interfered with railway traffic. Others have been arranged for support by the'ties so that they would not interfere with railway traflic, but these machines have lacked the flexibility required, and have failed to attain their object on curves. As above pointed out, the sub-base of a railroad track is substantially horizontal, but at a curve the tracks are at 50 different elevations and the machines hereto- 1927. Serial No. 202,893.

fore proposed have not been designed to meet this condition. They have lacked the necessary clearance when supported on ties of different elevation and have been unsuited to digging down to a horizontal sub-base.

I provide a machine comprising a frame which fits into a trench initiall dug between the ties of adjacent rails, and is supported on rails carried by the ties. The machine is arranged to automaticall advance and dig its way into the ballast. preferably employ digging arms which, during at least a portion of their movement, extend sidewise of the machine proper so as to dig sufficiently close to the ends of the ties to break down the impervious wall which other machines have not been able to reach. The digging arms are efi'ective for digging out the entire space between the tracks. I preferably employ 'double pointed digging arms, as these are more effective for digging. This type of arm will dig to the side wall of the trench, as well as the bottom thereof, and the points preserve sufficient clearance for the body of the arm and eliminate undue loads on the digging head and driving mechanism. The arms are preferably so arranged that during a portion of their stroke they both lie within the sidewise limits of the machine, so that it may be readily inserted in the trench. My improved machine is effective for elevating the dug ballast and screening the same so as to remove the dirt. The cleaned ballast is returned to the trench at the rear of the machine and the screenings are elevated so as to permit of ready disposal.

Themachine is so constructed that it does not interfere with normal railway trafiic in any way. A major portion of the machine lies in the trench, thus permitting of using rugged construction and within the clearance limits. In order to take care of conditions at curves. I provide supporting means on opposite sides of the machine, which supporting means are relatively vertically adjustable. Despite difierences in the elevation of ties on adjacent railroad tracks, the machine may be kept horizontal and clear of rail traflic at all times.

I provide an improved drive mechanism whereby great flexibility of operation and long life of the machine are insured.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the present preferred embodiment of the invention and certain modifications thereof,

Figure 1 is a perspective view'of the machine, looking on it from the top,

Figure 2 is a side elevation,

Figure 3 is a front elevation showing the machine in operation,

Figure 4 is a top plan view with certain of the parts removed so as to show the driving connections,

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line VV of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a top plan view to enlarged scale of the digging head.

Figure 7 is a view to still larger scale taken on the line'VIIVII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a top plan view partly broken away, showing a supporting rail,

Figure 9 is a side elevation of Figure 8,

Fi ure 10 is a cross sectional view throu h h ra supporting rail taken on the line XX of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a side elevation to enlarged scale of one of the supporting brackets for the machine,

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a screening conveyor which may be employed with the machine,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the conveyor shown in Figure 12,

Figure 14 isa'view corresponding to Figure 6, but showing a modified form of digger head, and

Figure 15 is a view to enlarged scale taken on the'line XV-XV of Figure 14.

Figure 1 shows the general construction of the machine. It comprises a frame 2 having 1) tickets 3 pivotally mounted thereon at 4. lhe brackets have sidewise extending arms 5 carrying supporting wheels 6 at the front of the machine, and combined supporting and traction wheels 7 at the rear. The front of the machine is inclined and carries a plate 8. A digging arm 9 is arranged on each side of this plate. Each arm 9 is effective for digging ballast and sweeping it toward the foot portion 10 of a conveyor 11. The conveyor elevates the ballastand transports it to the rear of the machine where it is dumpedon a shaking screen 12.

The screened ballast falls off the discharge lip 13 at the rear of the machine, while the screenings fall into a hopper and are carried off by a conveyor 14.

Drive mechanism I bustion engine 15 mounted on cross brackets 16. The engineis arranged longitudinally of the machine and a special cranking shaft 17 is therefore provided. This shaft extends upwardly and sidewise. It is connected through suitable, gearing (not shown) to the engine crank shaft. A radiator 19 and cooling fan 20 are arranged alongside the engine.

As will be seen from Figure 2, a large part of the engine is arranged below the tie level T. L., and due to the digging and screening operations, the engine necessarily works under very adverse conditions. An air cleaner 21 is provided so as to keep dust and grit outof the engine cylinders.

The engine 15 is provided with a clutch 22 having an operating handle 23. Engine power is transmitted through the clutch to a bevel pinion 24. The bevel pinion meshes with a bevel gear 25 mounted on a cross shaft 26. A jaw clutch 27 having an actuating lever 28 is mounted on the shaft 26 and controls a sprocket 29. By actuating the lever 28, the sprocket 29 may be driven or left free, as desired. A sprocket chain 30 extends from the sprocket 29 to a sprocket 31. It is guided by an idler 32. The sprocket 31 is carried by a shaft 33 through which the digger arms 9 are driven. The shaft 33 carries sprockets 34 connected through chains 35 to sprockets 36. The sprockets 36 are each keyed to worm shafts 37. Each shaft 37 carries a worm 38 meshing with a worm wheel 39. Each worm wheel is mounted on a shaft 40 formed integral with a disk 41 which lies substantially flush with the plate 8. Each disk 41 carries a crank pin 42 engaging an arm 9.

The shaft 26 carries a sprocket 43 connected through a chain 44 to a sprocket 45 on a cross shaft 46. The cross shaft 46 carries a sprocket 47 connected through a chain 48 to a sprocket 49 on a shaft 50. The shaft 50 forms the head shaft of the conveyor 11.

The shaft 46 makes a chain and sprocket connection 51 with a shaft 52 which drives the shaker screen. It also makes a chain and sprocket connection 53 with a shaft 54, which is the foot shaft of the screenings elevator 14.

The shaft 46 also carries a pinion 55 meshing with a gear 56 on the driving shaft 57 of a gear box 58. The gear box is provided with operating levers 59. The traction wheels 7 are driven through this gear box and it provides two speeds forward and one speed reverse, as well as a neutral position. The

neutral position is desirable as it permits of running the conveying and screening mechanism alone or in conjunction with the (ligging arms so as to clear the trench or the machine. The two speeds forward provide a varying speed ratio between the rate of advance of the machine and the rate at which the d ggmg arms are operated. The reverse position 15 desirable as it provides maneuverability for the machine, and also permits of it being withdrawn from the head of the trot-ch in case one of the digging a ms strikes a monument, or the like. The gear uox 58 has a driven shaft 60 making a chain and Frame supports and supporting m z'ls See particularly Figures 1, 3, and 8 toll inclusive.

The supporting'wheels 6 and 7 run on rails 67 which are laid on the ends of the railroad ties by the workmen. The rails 67 are made in sections and are generally channel shaped. The channel web is punched withthe wheels 7. This insures positive-advancing of the machine. Each rail 67 is provided with a flange plate 69 projecting upwardly from the supporting face of the rail. The flanges 6,9 guide the machine by engaging the sides of the rollers 6.

Each rail section is rovided with sidewise extending pins 70 a apted to engage any one of a series of notches 71 in an anti-creeper 72. The anti-creeper comprises a pair of connected side members 73 lying on either side of the rail and provided with hook portions 74 for engaging a side face of a railroad tie. The hook portions 74 hold the rails in place and insure that the machine will be urged forwardinto the ballast to be dug.

Each rail 67 is provided adjacent each end with a pivoted arm 75. A locking bar 76 is pivoted to the arm 75 and has its other end shaped to engage any one of the teeth of a ratchet bar 77 secured to the supporting rail. In operation the rail 67 is laid on the ties and the arms 75 are swung out to bear against the track rail R. The arms are held in the adjusted position by the locking bars 76.

' Coil springs 75 hold the bars 76 in the desired notches. The ratchet bar 77, and the arms 75 and 76 carried thereby, are insulated from the rail sections, as indicated at 77 so as to prevent interference with signal circuits.

Each rail section 67 is provided at one end with a pair of hook members 78, and at the opposite endwith a corresponding pin 79. The rails are thus positively connected together so as .to provide a substantially continuous track. The hook members 78 lie inside the flanges of the channel forming the support: ing rail and insure proper alignment of the sections. A joint between adjacent supporting rail sections is indicated in chain lines in Figures 8 and 9. When a rail is laid an anticreeper 72 will be placed on a convenient tie and a pin 70 will engage oneofthe slots 71. The adjustable arms 75 permit of shifting the rail sections on the ties, as is necessary for tracks of varying center distances. The supporting wheels 6 provide smooth supporting members which permit of the'machine rounding a curve. There is sufiicient clear-- ance for the sprocket teeth on the wheels 7 to permit of the machine rounding a curve without interfering with the positive driving action. Where adjacent tracks lie at different levels, it is necessary to vary the relative height of the supporting'arms 5 on the two sides of the machine. An adjustment of these arms is also desirable so as to permit of digging to different depths. The construction which permits of such an adjustment is best shown in Figures 2 and 11. Each bracket 3 is provided with teeth 80 in a por tion of its periphery, and these teeth are engaged by a worm wheel 81 on a shaft 82, carried in a bearing bracket 83 secured to the frame 2. Each shaft 82 is provided with a squared head to accommodate a crank or wrench. Rotation of the shaft 82 serves to adjust the vertical height of the arm 5 on the bracket 3. The worm and sector is irrevers ible and therefore tends to hold the bracket in the adjusted position. As a matter of precaution, however, holding bolts 84 passing through slots 85 in the bracket are provided. The bracket carries indicia 86 for giving a direct reading of the amount of adjustment at any time.

.With this arran ement of the supporting brackets it is possi le to change the depth to which the machine digs, and also to maintain the machine horizontal even though the tracks are at different levels, and thus preserve the track clearance. The adjustment of the rear brackets does not interfere with the drive since the sprocket 65 is rotated about the center of the sprocket 63. With the machine maintained substantially horizontal there is no danger of it encroaching on the clear space required for rail traflic and defined by the chain lines shown in Figure 3.

Digging head and conveyor See particularly Figures 1 to 7 inclusive.

As above stated, the digging head comprises the supporting plate 8 and the digging arms 9, each arm 9 being pivoted on the crank pin 42 carried by the disk 41. At its rear end each arm is pivoted to a connecting arm or link 87, each arm 87 being pivotally connected to the plate 8 at 88. In operation the crank disks 41 are rotated and the front ends of-the arms 9 follow an arbital path. The motion is first outwardly and then forwardly. The arm then sweeps toward the center line of the machine and at the same time is retracted somewhat. It is then moved outwardly to repeat the stroke. As shown in Figure 6, the two arms are out of time with one another so that first one arm and then the other-sweeps the material toward the center of the machine where it will fall on the conveyor 11. Figure 3 shows how the arms dig under the ties and break down the impervious wall of material. During a part of the stroke, both arms lie over the plate 8, so that their stroke and. cause breakage of the machine. The bowed connecting arm eliminates this tendency to a large degree. It is further eliminated by the provision of beveled faces 89 on the arms 9 and 87 so that each arm presents a relatively narrow face to the other arm. The widest portions .of the arms 9 and 87 are those portions which are closest to the plate 8, so that any material between the arms is urged away from the plate by the inclined faces 89, and jamming is eliminated.

Each digging arm 9 is provided with a digging portion 90. The digging portion 90 projects between forks 91 on the arm 9 and I is held by a pin 92 lying in a slot 93. The arm 90 is rockable toward or away from the plate 8, but is normally urged thereagainst by a compression spring 94. The action of the spring is limited by a bolt 95. This arrangement permits of the digging portion 90 moving away from the plate in case the material becomes jammed, thus preventing breakage.

Each digging portion 90 is provided with two digging points 96 and 97 The point 96 is particularly effective for dig- 'ging at the. sides of the trench, providing clearance for the outward sweep of the digging portion 90, while the point 97 is particularly efiect-ive for digging into the space directly ahead of the machine. The point 97 also aids materially in sweeping the material toward the conveyor 11. Y

The conveyor 11 comprises a pair of sprocket chains 98 extending from the head sprockets on the shaft 50 over idlers 99 to sprockets on a foot shaft 100. The sprocket chains carry a conveying belt for the material. The top flight of the conveyor extends upwardly at an angle and then horizontally along the top of the machine. The bottom flight follows very closely the line of the top flight. The gearing is such that the conveyor 11 is run at suflicient speed to carry away more material than the arms 9 can supply, so that the ballast normally does not tend to pile up and clog the digging operation. This arrangement is also desirable since it prevents very large quantities of' ballast from being dumped suddenly'on the shaker screen. On the contrary, the ballast is supplied in a normally steady stream.

It will be noted from Figure 5 that the dust proof .and are filled with lubricant.

Dirt guards 102 and 103 prevent grit from entering the boxes 101 either around the shaft 100 or under the crank disks 41.

Modified form ofdz'ggi/ng head See Figures 14 and 15.

In the modified form of digging head parts corresponding to similar parts in the preferred embodiment of' the invention have been given the samereference character with an a suflixed thereto. The arms 9 are replaced by arms 104 pivoted to the crank disks 41a at 105. 7 Instead of the arms being connected to links, they are recessed as shown in Figure 15 so as to engage a roller 106 on a fixed stud 107. .The arms 104 are curved so as to impart to the digging portions 90a the desired digging and sweeping movement. This arrangement is found in practice to be satisfactory, and the arrangement of the roller-106 and recess is such that wear, due to the action of grit, is minimized.

In either of the illustrated forms of digging head the digging portions 90 or 90a are readily replaceable in case they are'bent,

broken, or are unduly Worn. Similarly,

either the plate 8 or 8a is provided with a replaceable edge 108, which may be renewed a'sdesired. A

' Shaker screen connected through a shaft 112 to arms 113 pivoted on the frame at 114. The brackets 111 are connected through a shaft 115 to arms 116 pivoted on the shaft 62. It will be noted from Figure 2 that while are arms 11'? are substantially vertical, the arms 116 are materially inclined. This arrangement imparts a very effective vibrating motion to the screen when the arms are rocked back and forth.

The shaft 115 carries one end of a connecting rod 117. The other end of the connecting rod is carried by an eccentric 118 on the shaft 52. As the shaft 52v rotates, it imparts a rapid rocking motion to-the arms 116, thus vibratingthe screen 12. and insuring proper screening.

The screened material falls into a hopper 119- from which it flows to the elevator 14 for removal.

Handling screenings See particularly Figures 1, 2, 12 and 13.

The screenings elevator 14 comprises a casing 120, the foot shaft 54, a shaft 121, a sprocket chain 122 extending betwen the shafts 54 and 121, and a belt carried by the sprocket chain. Screenings in the hopper 119 flow to the elevator belt and are carried upwardly thereby to 'be discharged over the head shaft 121.

Figures 1 and 2 show a box 123 for receivis no surrounding machinery to prevent their ready removal. When the machine is running at full speed, several boxes will be filled per minute, and the princi al labor required for the machine is the andling of these boxes.

It will be noted from Figure 1 that the casing 120 of the elevator 14 lies under the discharge lip 13 of the shaker screen 12. Since the casing 120 is relatively narrow, and is positioned along the center line of the machine, its presence does not seriously interfere with the return of the ballast to the trench. In fact, the ballast is discharged to either side of the trench and therefore has a greater tendency to more uniformly back fill the trench. A guide member 124 is provided on the screen to direct the screened ballast away from the top of the elevator casing 120.

As above stated, the principal labor re-' quirement for the machine is the handling of the dirt boxes 123. Figures 12 and 13 showa conveyor for discharging the dirt to the side of the right-of-way. Instead of the casing 120 having a bracket 125 for supporting and positioning the dirt boxes 123, Figures 12 and 13 show a conveyor frame 126 pivoted to the elevator frame 120a. The head shaft 121a'is connected through mitre gears 127 to a vertical shaft 128, which in turn is connected through mitre gears 129 to a shaft 130 on the conveyor frame 126. A conveyor belt extends from the shaft 130 to a shaft '131 at the other end of the frame 126. A'

hopper 132 is mounted on the frame 126 adj acent the head of the screenings elevator, so as to catch the screenings and position them on the conveyor belt. The conveyor 126 is arranged to be swung around the shaft 128 so that the driving connection will not be interrupted. Figure 12 shows in solid lines the conveyor extending across a railroad track so as to discharge to the side of the right-of-way. In case a train comes along, the conveyor may be swung to the dotted line position of Figure 12, and then swung back again. The hopper 132 is arranged to swing on a stub shaft- 133, so that it always maintains the proper relation to the screenings elevator. By swinging the conveyor 126 to dif-' ferent angular positions, the dirt may be dis charged at varying distances from the tracks, as desired. The gear and shafts 127, 128 and 129 are duplicated on the two sides of the machine.- By shifting the supporting bracket by which the conveyor is mounted on a shaft 128 to the other side of the machine, the conveyor may be used to discharge to the other side of the right-of-way.

While I have illustrated and described the present preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim i 1. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame vadapted to l e between the ends of the ties df adjacent railroad tracks and to travel along the track-way, supporting rails adapted to lie on the ties, and means adjustably connected to said rails forengaging said ties.

2. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame adapted to lie between the ends of the ties of adjacent railroad tracks and to travel along the track-way, supporting rails adapted to lie on the ties, and an anti-creeper for a supporting rail arranged to engage a tie. Y

3. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame adapted to lie between the ends of the ties of adjacent railroad tracks and to travel along the track-way, supporting rails adapted to lie on the ties, and an anti-creeper for a supporting rail arranged to engage atie, the anti-creeper being adjustable to different positions-along the supporting rail.

1. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame adapted to lie between the ends of the ties of adjacent railroad tracks and to travel along the'track-way, supporting rails adapted to lie on the'ties, and an anti-creeper for a supporting rail arranged to engage a tie, the track being so formed as to provide a'positive driving connection for the frame.

a. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame adapted to lie alongside a railroad track, a supporting rail for the frame adapted to lie on the ties. and adustable means engaging the track rail for spacmg the supporting rail therefrom.

6. A railway ballast treating machine comprising a frame adapted to lie alongside a railroad track, a supporting rail for the frame adapted to lie on the ties, means for engaging the track rail spacing the support mg rail therefrom, and means insulating the supporting rail from the track rail. A railway ballast treating machine compr sing a frame adapted to lie alongside a railroad track, a supporting rail for the frame adapted to lie on the ties, an arm secured to the supporting rail and adapted to bear against the track rail, and means holdmg the arm in varying angular positions.

8. A digging machine comprising a frame, a crank mounted thereon, a link pivotally mounted on the frame, and a digging arm secured to the link and to the crank,

the link being curved so as to provide a relatil) tively wide space between the link and the arm.

9. A digging machine comprising a frame, a crank mounted thereon, a digging arm secnredto the crank, and aconnecting arm pi v oted to the digging arm and to the frame,

one of the arms having a face inclined so I as to present a relatively narrow edge to the other arm. v

10. A diggingmachine comprising a supporting plate, a rotatable disk substantially flush therewith, a digging arm connected to the disk, and a connecting arm pivoted to the digging arm and to the plate, one of the arms having a face inclined so as to present a relatively narrow edge to the other arm, said relatively narrow edge being located adjacent the plate, p

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. JAMES B. MGWILLIAMS. 

